Why Thin People Are Not Fat?

[josie54]

This is an interesting post--I, for one, do believe in the genetic side of this. For instance, I crave sugar almost constantly. If I eat too many sugary foods, I feel constantly hungry--almost insatiable. I'll eat a meal and be "hungry" just 30 minutes or an hour later. It's a physical feeling of hunger, even though I can feel my stomach is full. It's incredibly hard to resist--it's so strong that I often find myself eating something sweet without even thinking.

 

I truly believe this feeling of hunger is caused by refined sugar throwing my chemistry off balance. I can only imagine what it's like to be an overweight person who is fighting that feeling all the time. I mean, your brain is telling you to eat, eat, eat!

 

Once I take myself off sugary foods, I go into what I can only call "withdrawal"--not nearly as bad, I'm sure, as withdrawal from drug addiction, but it's a period when all I can think about is eating sweets. After a week, that feeling starts to subside and after two weeks, my appetite is regulated again. I can eat normally and feel satisfied, even though I still really want that cookie or cereal! I still eat a few sweetened items, but they are sweetened with banana or agave nectar, not refined sugar.

 

It helps even more if I exercise vigorously for 45-60 minutes every day. It has to be vigorous exercise, far beyond my comfort zone. Moderate exercise--of the 30-minute-walk-a-day variety--doesn't work as an appetite suppressant for me.

 

I work very hard to manage my cravings for sweets and my hunger signals. If I eat just one dessert or fail to exercise just one day, those "I'm hungry" feelings return at times when I simply shouldn't be hungry.

 

Because of all this, I think my body chemistry genetically predisposes me to obesity. My entire family is overweight or obese. I am of normal weight, but only through constant monitoring of my diet, calorie counting, and vigorous exercise that I rarely enjoy. I often tell people, "It's easy to lose weight if you're not hungry." It's incredibly hard to lose weight if you ARE hungry, whether or not you've just eaten. I do wish other overweight people could resist these hunger signals, but I also understand why many can't.

 

I just hope I can keep up my own routine, because I know I could gain a lot of weight very quickly, and that if I got too heavy, it would be almost impossible for me to return to normal weight. My chemistry would be too far out of whack.

[cdb]

fral,

Don't mean to hijack but wondered if fral could narrow down some of the glycemic load info I have found. Very interested-but SO much on it. A few pointers on sites and books?

Thanks!

[fral945]

fral,

Don't mean to hijack but wondered if fral could narrow down some of the glycemic load info I have found. Very interested-but SO much on it. A few pointers on sites and books?

Thanks!

 

There are a few books. If you want to know some specific ones I can recommend a few. Just send me a PM.

[soon2Bfiling]

Tosca Reno's The Eat Clean Diet is the best Book out there.Although ''diet''is in the title it really is a way of life diet and the way we are meant to eat .Bodybuilders been eating her way for 60+ years,check it out.

[lovestruck818]

You definitely got me there.

 

If medical science can be believed there are definite disadvantages to being over weight, or at least obese. I mean, I'll come right out and admit it too... I'm more attracted to "fit" girls than I am to overweight girls. This is a personal preference (and a cultural one). I'm sure the two are related.

 

Anyway, I think there is a difference between preference and stigma though. This quote perfectly highlights the "stigma" and it's accompanying attitude:

 

 

 

The stigma stems from ideas of responsibility and "blame", which I think all these studies really start to undermine.

 

First off we assume over weight people lack will power or discipline. I think it's pretty clear that the psychological inner dimensions of all of us vary widely. The inner "hurdle" is different, if you will. So, thin people might say (as they are prone to do)... I eat as much as I want. The key word is "want". Their brains, working in tandem with hormones released in the stomach and elsewhere, are such that they simply don't "want" as much. The urge simply isn't there. It's not that they are exercising some tremendous feat of will power, it's just the "hurdle" is a low one.

 

If you have the FTO gene however, the hurdle is probably a very high one.

 

Our internal and personal experiences are different, so we can't really judge and compare are so called "will power". It's not a fair match.

 

Secondly, assume two different people do eat a caloric surplus. The fact of the matter is, their bodies will likely respond differently. One might put on lots of muscle and all the chicks will think he is hot. The other poor guy may have a high fat cell count, however, and end up just looking frumpy and over weight. Still another may work it all off in nervous energy.

 

I just think, when you consider both of these factors, that it would be wise of us all to refrain from passing personal judgments. And I'm talking judgments about someone's character, of course. There is nothing wrong with having an impersonal "preference", if that makes sense?

 

But the problem is...many people use their genetics as an excuse for being fat and that they can't do anything about it b/c of their genetics. It's not fair to the people who have to put the hard work in to actually lose the weight.

[lovestruck818]

I eat a ton and I love food. For breakfast alone I'll have a bacon, peppers, ham, and cheese omelet, 5 hard boiled egg whites, a waffle covered in butter and syrup, about 6 glasses of juices, 2 bananas, a big bowl of grapes, and 3-4 big cantaloupe slices. Maybe sometimes a donut and hot chocolate.

 

I also exercise a ton and love exercise. Before breakfast I do different workouts, but the most endurance-based and calorie burning is 100 minutes of straight high heart rate cardio, either erging, running, biking, or doing an ab/chest/legs circuit.

 

It balances out.

 

I used to have 33% body fat when I was 14, and let me tell you, I didn't eat much, not like you think someone of my size would. I genetically had a very slow metabolism. I started to exercise and became thin within a few months.

 

but that's my point...had you not ate all that food in the first place you would not have to worry about having to lose the weight.

 

My 2nd point, genetics or not, everyone who puts the effort in (like you did) can lose weight- whether fatness is in their genetics or not. Most people are too lazy to do anything about it and they just blame it on genetics.

 

I admire you for losing all that weight by the way. It is no easy feat. I lost about 40lbs in a 6-month span, so I know how hard it is. I have maintained my current weight for about 2 years now and I love it. But it becomes a way of life forever. If I went back to my old ways, I would gain it all back.

[Mr. Lucky]

whether fatness is in their genetics or not

It's not fatness. They're just big-boned ...

 

Mr. Lucky

[Jaytb]

There may be some genetic basis for being heavier, but I think that's no excuse for being heavy. I remember I used to be fat as a teen, I didn't do any exercise whatsoever. I didn't even eat all that much, probably around what I eat now. But being sedentary really did it. A few years ago, I started running and exercising and the pounds came off (slowly).

 

I probably have "fat genes" in me too. My parents are both obese, my sister is obese. My brother was obese, too. But he, like me, simply started running and lost all the extra weight.

 

If I can do it, anyone can do it. So when I hear "I am designed to be fat", it's just something I can't fathom. Obviously there are exceptions, but I find for the most part most heavy people should be able to lose the weight. They may have less will power to change, but they should be able to do it.

 

I also don't like the "fat acceptance movement". On the one hand, discriminating against fat people is bad. But on the other hand, being fat is something you can change. It's something you have control over (not like other forms of discrimination). It says something about your character (although I can have leverage for some people, like those who've had major surgery.) And it's just plain healthier to be in shape. (although skinny people can be out of shape too, so outward appearance isn't going to be the most accurate indicator of health anyways).

 

So yes, genetics plays a factor, but isn't a determinant. I am tired of all those heavy people who whine about how they're meant to be fat. And I often see posts (not here) about how men are so shallow for wanting a thin partner. It's like, come on, is it really shallow to want someone who is healthy? (well, as I said, appearances aren't going to be 100% accurate, but it's a general indicator I'd say).

[sunshinegirl]

Jaytb, I take some exception to your opening line of "There may be some genetic basis for being heavier, but I think that's no excuse for being heavy." And you base that on your experience, and only your experience.

 

To be clear, I'm not advocating pure sloth.

 

At the same time, all I have to do is look at my 8-year old nephew compared to his 5-year old brother. The older boy inherited his father's genes (which skew to the heavy side); the younger one inherited my sister's (which skew thin).

 

For my older nephew to have the same proportions as his skinny little brother would require him to exercise for hours a day and to severely restrict his food intake. I don't see that as healthy or sustainable over the long term. That will give him a complex that he's not lovable or acceptable unless he works his tail off to stay unnaturally thin.

 

Better is for my nephew to be active and eat reasonably - to aim for healthy habits, not thinness.

 

If his weight still skews heavy, so be it - that's the size his body naturally wants to be at. Not everyone is built, genetically speaking, to be thin. They just aren't...and where genetics are concerned, I don't think it's right to treat this as a moral issue.

[Jaytb]

Jaytb, I take some exception to your opening line of "There may be some genetic basis for being heavier, but I think that's no excuse for being heavy." And you base that on your experience, and only your experience.

 

Well I know some people are going to be naturally thinner than others. But staying in shape isn't impossible as some make it out to be.

 

 

At the same time, all I have to do is look at my 8-year old nephew compared to his 5-year old brother. The older boy inherited his father's genes (which skew to the heavy side); the younger one inherited my sister's (which skew thin).

 

For my older nephew to have the same proportions as his skinny little brother would require him to exercise for hours a day and to severely restrict his food intake. I don't see that as healthy or sustainable over the long term. That will give him a complex that he's not lovable or acceptable unless he works his tail off to stay unnaturally thin.

I sincerely doubt he would need to exercise "hours a day". And no one really should restrict their food intake. It slows the metabolism down and is counterproductive since once go back to normal you'll gain weight yet again.

But for kids, all they need is fresh air and exercise, and they'll naturally be in shape. Unfortunately kids are not doing sports and are driven everywhere.

 

Better is for my nephew to be active and eat reasonably - to aim for healthy habits, not thinness.

Correct, thinness isn't everything. But usually, consistent (and not excessive) exercise has the nice side benefit of preventing weight gain.

 

If his weight still skews heavy, so be it - that's the size his body naturally wants to be at. Not everyone is built, genetically speaking, to be thin. They just aren't...and where genetics are concerned, I don't think it's right to treat this as a moral issue.

No, this isn't a moral issue. But I still don't like it when people blame genetics. As I said, I probably have the so called "fat genes" that most we hear about. I believe I would easily gain weight by reducing my activity level. But I wouldn't blame my genes for it. I would blame myself for becoming inactive.

 

The human body is quite versatile, you see. The human body can be many weights fat, thin, muscular, it doesn't have a set weight that it wants to be. With enough training, for instance, nearly everyone could run marathons. Now I don't guarantee everyone could win marathons because some have a natural genetic advantage.

 

Anyways, my point is exercise is a pretty good idea for anyone.

[josie54]

If I can do it, anyone can do it.

 

Yes and no. For some, being overweight is a symptom of other physiological and psychological problems.

 

For instance, someone with a thyroid imbalance probably can't do it as you can. People who are hypothyroid could run all day and eat 1000 calories and still be overweight, because the chemicals in their body are storing every calorie as fat.

 

Someone who is on steroids for a medical condition is likely to retain water, have a ravenous appetite, AND be more likely to have every morsel they eat stored as fat as a result of the steroids.

 

Someone with a brain chemistry imbalance that causes depression, fatigue, or misfiring hunger signals will not be able to draw on the same mental motivation that you can, because their view of the world is skewed by mental illness.

 

Losing weight may be as simple as "calories in, calories out" for some, but for others it's a much more complex proposition that makes it much, much, much more difficult--if not impossible, because of other underlying conditions. As a result, I try not to judge, only because I don't know what a person's individual circumstance might be.

[Jaytb]

Yes and no. For some, being overweight is a symptom of other physiological and psychological problems.

 

For instance, someone with a thyroid imbalance probably can't do it as you can. People who are hypothyroid could run all day and eat 1000 calories and still be overweight, because the chemicals in their body are storing every calorie as fat.

 

Although a thyroid imbalance can have an impact, running and normal metabolic activity will force the body to use some of that fat and calories for energy. The body can't just create energy out of nowhere.

 

Someone who is on steroids for a medical condition is likely to retain water, have a ravenous appetite, AND be more likely to have every morsel they eat stored as fat as a result of the steroids.

 

Someone with a brain chemistry imbalance that causes depression, fatigue, or misfiring hunger signals will not be able to draw on the same mental motivation that you can, because their view of the world is skewed by mental illness.

 

Losing weight may be as simple as "calories in, calories out" for some, but for others it's a much more complex proposition that makes it much, much, much more difficult--if not impossible, because of other underlying conditions. As a result, I try not to judge, only because I don't know what a person's individual circumstance might be.

Yeah I recognize it's harder for some due to other underlying problems. I try not to judge either.

 

That said, I think many people are overweight for no other reason than they ate too much and didn't get enough exercise. Those people should hold themselves accountable for their condition and stop blaming everything else.

[lovestruck818]

Although a thyroid imbalance can have an impact, running and normal metabolic activity will force the body to use some of that fat and calories for energy. The body can't just create energy out of nowhere.

 

Yeah I recognize it's harder for some due to other underlying problems. I try not to judge either.

 

That said, I think many people are overweight for no other reason than they ate too much and didn't get enough exercise. Those people should hold themselves accountable for their condition and stop blaming everything else.

 

I wouldn't say many, I would say most. And while yes, thyroid issues & steroid issues do exist, they make medicine for the thyroid thing that can control it. My aunt has it and she's not overweight at all. If someone is too lazy to get medicine to fix a thyroid problem, then I don't know what to say except that is pure laziness. Obesity can be fixed 100%...if it's not, then you don't want it enough or are not working hard enough to achieve your goal.

[Isolde]

I understand exactly what Josie means about the hunger signals. This is some strong stuff here.

 

When I get hungry, I get REALLY hungry. My brain shuts down every center except the one that deals with survival instincts. All I can think about is getting food. I also get low blood sugar easily, and sometimes feel faint if I skip a meal.

 

I find that the less I eat, the less hungry I get. But in college I let that get to the point where I became too thin--and now it is really hard to gain.

 

Don't let yourself be extreme in either direction or you will have a long road back to your ideal weight.

 

People should look at themselves as individuals and figure out the proper portion sizes and meal frequency for them. Don't worry about what your family and friends do. This is very important.

[ruggy]

I have cut out just about all processed foods, exercise ever other day (running & weights). I am certainly stronger as I curl nearly 200lbs and bench over 300lbs. The fat has gone down in all areas of my body except my belly. The damn fat will not leave! Thinking I may need to cut it out surgically. Its been nearly six months and I have lost well over 40 lbs. But the damn fat in the lower belly just won't leave! Maybe I need a station bike. I mainly eat fruits, vegetables, cheerios, granola, meat, chicken, whole wheat pasta and oatmeal. Once in a while chicken parm and lasagna. Oh, and a protein shake after each hour work out.

 

What am I doing wrong here?

[fral945]

I have cut out just about all processed foods, exercise ever other day (running & weights). I am certainly stronger as I curl nearly 200lbs and bench over 300lbs. The fat has gone down in all areas of my body except my belly. The damn fat will not leave! Thinking I may need to cut it out surgically. Its been nearly six months and I have lost well over 40 lbs. But the damn fat in the lower belly just won't leave! Maybe I need a station bike. I mainly eat fruits, vegetables, cheerios, granola, meat, chicken, whole wheat pasta and oatmeal. Once in a while chicken parm and lasagna. Oh, and a protein shake after each hour work out.

 

What am I doing wrong here?

 

Hard to say based on what you have said. Sounds like you are on the right track doing the right things, it just might just take some fine tuning of your diet. It could be as simple as not really needing a protein shake if you are getting enough calories from your meals. Could you provide an example of you typical diet on an average day?

[ruggy]

Never really counted the calories, but here is what I have during the day.

 

Breakfast: Bowl of Quakers Oatmeal (2 envelopes), cup of coffee, and a cup of Activa yogurt.

 

Lunch: Salad or turkey bacon with light mayo on wheat bread or wheat bagel or Multi-grain Cheerios.

 

Dinner: Salad & Chicken or Meat or Wheat Pasta/Wheat Lasagna

 

Possible snacks: Apple or Canned fruit or Carrots with low fat peanut butter or lean pocket or yogurt shake with skim milk or whole grain granola AKA Bare Naked or FEED brands.

 

Workout: 3 - 4 mile run. weight lifting curls and bench.

 

After workout Protein Whey Shake with Creatine.

 

Water: Daily: 3 - 4 liters.

 

 

That is about it. The fat has lessened in the face, neck, shoulders, upper body, legs and butt. The belly though, no dice. Originally weighted around 265 in the summer. Now at 185. Though, I do yo-yo five to ten pounds it seems weekly.

[Peter_pan]

i believe it is down to genetics but certainly if you want to lose weight its not like you cant do anything about it.

 

i lift weights and dont do any cv really. i weigh 145lbs, and have 7.5% body fat and i am 6ft tall, 48.9% muscle mass and 65% water. and have a bmi of 19

 

i am in good shape, but i dont believe i do anything out of the ordinary to be like this. i am actually trying to bulk just now, and want to hit 11.5 stone.

 

im a stone and a bit off. its so hard to eat eat eat all the time. i feel physically sick some days, and even then i am only intaking 3400 calories...

 

to stay at my current weight i need to eat 2900 a day.

[fral945]

Never really counted the calories, but here is what I have during the day.

 

Breakfast: Bowl of Quakers Oatmeal (2 envelopes), cup of coffee, and a cup of Activa yogurt.

 

Lunch: Salad or turkey bacon with light mayo on wheat bread or wheat bagel or Multi-grain Cheerios.

 

Dinner: Salad & Chicken or Meat or Wheat Pasta/Wheat Lasagna

 

Possible snacks: Apple or Canned fruit or Carrots with low fat peanut butter or lean pocket or yogurt shake with skim milk or whole grain granola AKA Bare Naked or FEED brands.

 

Workout: 3 - 4 mile run. weight lifting curls and bench.

 

After workout Protein Whey Shake with Creatine.

 

Water: Daily: 3 - 4 liters.

 

 

That is about it. The fat has lessened in the face, neck, shoulders, upper body, legs and butt. The belly though, no dice. Originally weighted around 265 in the summer. Now at 185. Though, I do yo-yo five to ten pounds it seems weekly.

 

The belly is going to be the last place to lose weight. Most of us guys gain it there first and lose it there last (itis pretty much genetically determined where you store fat first).

 

I don't count calories either, and I don’t think you need to start. I try to have a balance and blend of healthy fats, lean protein (with the exception being fatty fish, which contain healthy fats), and unrefined carbohydrates (i.e., beans, whole fruit, whole grains, and vegetables) at every meal and snack.

 

Where I think you could improve is cutting your added sugar intake (which is likely hidden in the oatmeal, yogurt, granola, shakes, and canned fruit you are eating). It sounds like what you are following a low fat diet. Low fat does not necessarily mean you will eat low calorie. Likely if you increase your fat intake and decrease your added sugar intake you will actually end up eating fewer calories. My advice:

 

Breakfast: That’s a lot of added sugar in your breakfast if you are eating the regular Quaker Oats oatmeal in the packets and yogurt. Replace the Quaker Oats oatmeal and yogurt with Steel cut oats (or at least the regular unsweetened Quaker Oats) and top with fruit (like blueberries) or sweeten with fruit (like a pureed banana) or a little bit of honey. I usually put some ground flaxseed in to add some healthy fat. Or eat a no added sugar whole grain cereal (like Shredded Wheat or Grape Nuts) and top with fruit and nuts or seeds.

 

Snacks: I’d cut out (or limit) the lean pockets (which are mostly refined carbohydrates), granola, and yogurt. Most granola isn’t very filling and usually has a lot of added sugar. Same goes for yogurt. Replace those snacks with regular nuts (peanuts, cashews, almonds, etc.) or seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, etc.) and a variety of fresh, whole fruit. Canned fruit tends to be drenched in corn syrup (i.e., added sugar) and rarely includes the skin, which is where most of the fiber is contained (and which helps it be more filling).

 

I also snack on Kashi TLC bars, which are one of the few granola bars that are low in sugar and somewhat filling.

[sunshinegirl]

I have cut out just about all processed foods, exercise ever other day (running & weights). I am certainly stronger as I curl nearly 200lbs and bench over 300lbs. The fat has gone down in all areas of my body except my belly. The damn fat will not leave! Thinking I may need to cut it out surgically. Its been nearly six months and I have lost well over 40 lbs. But the damn fat in the lower belly just won't leave! Maybe I need a station bike. I mainly eat fruits, vegetables, cheerios, granola, meat, chicken, whole wheat pasta and oatmeal. Once in a while chicken parm and lasagna. Oh, and a protein shake after each hour work out.

 

What am I doing wrong here?

 

Perhaps it's your genes. IMO, rather than hate your body so much that you would consider cutting part of it out, working on accepting your body for what it is would be a healthier way to go. I would bet large amounts of money that others don't notice or care nearly as much as you do.

[josie54]

Hey Ruggy,

 

Just as there might be a genetic predisposition toward obesity, there is also a genetic influence on where we store the most of our fat. I feel for you....my belly is the first place I gain weight and the last place I lose it.

 

I went on a weight-loss regimen a few years ago and lost 30 pounds. I got so skinny that people were telling me I looked haggard. And guess what....I still had belly fat sticking out--I couldn't get that nice flat washboard stomach I was looking for. I kept trying to lose "just five more pounds" so I could get rid of the belly, and I couldn't.

 

After enough people told me I looked unhealthy, I realized I wasn't going to be able to get rid of the belly, so I've since gained some of the weight back. My only hope is to minimize my stomach by staying at a healthy weight and dressing well. The bad news is that I'll never wear a bikini. The good news is that, because most of my extra weight goes to my belly, I can weigh a little more than most and still look pretty slim everywhere else--legs, arms, face. People always estimate my weight as being lower than it actually is.

 

If you have a similar body type to mine (apple-shaped), you may not be able to do anything with exercise and diet to get rid of the last of your belly fat--at least, not without getting to an unrealistically thin weight.

[lovestruck818]

I have cut out just about all processed foods, exercise ever other day (running & weights). I am certainly stronger as I curl nearly 200lbs and bench over 300lbs. The fat has gone down in all areas of my body except my belly. The damn fat will not leave! Thinking I may need to cut it out surgically. Its been nearly six months and I have lost well over 40 lbs. But the damn fat in the lower belly just won't leave! Maybe I need a station bike. I mainly eat fruits, vegetables, cheerios, granola, meat, chicken, whole wheat pasta and oatmeal. Once in a while chicken parm and lasagna. Oh, and a protein shake after each hour work out.

 

What am I doing wrong here?

 

protein shakes and bars can actually make you gain weight/get fatter...they are loaded with carbohydrates!

[ruggy]

I also have digestion problems, so my regimen HAS to include huge amounts of fiber in order to move the food in my body (slow-tract system). If I take out the oatmeal or any of the large fiber meals I would have a problem with digestion. The breakfast is more like something I HAVE to eat, not that I want to eat it. Same with the yogurt, Activa with the active cultures. For the protein, I am still trying to get my arms larger, which it seems to help. I am cut there slightly, would like it more. I have also tried to work out more than every other day, but my body cannot take it. Hence, this is why I do more cardio. I am starting also the Tae-bo stuff, so maybe that will help.

 

In terms of heredity, both my mother had a model like figure when she was my age. My father was thinner than I am too, but also was always a large (but not heavy). My two brothers and sisters are all pretty thin. I was always the heavy kid. Not really heavy as in overweight, just large frame. In high school and college football it was not hard to pack on the pounds and gain weight to be competitive in sports. At my height, I was was able to lift near 400LBS, squat 600LBS, curl 250LBS.

 

Probably the biggest issue that I have against me is my slow tract digestive system. Due to this, I had to modify my food intake in order to digest food. Bulking up on fiber is not the most pleasing thing to eat. I actually do not like to eat yogurt or oatmeal, but really have no choice on that front. I tried plain oatmeal and it is like eating cardboard.

[fral945]

I also have digestion problems, so my regimen HAS to include huge amounts of fiber in order to move the food in my body (slow-tract system). If I take out the oatmeal or any of the large fiber meals I would have a problem with digestion. The breakfast is more like something I HAVE to eat, not that I want to eat it. Same with the yogurt, Activa with the active cultures. For the protein, I am still trying to get my arms larger, which it seems to help. I am cut there slightly, would like it more. I have also tried to work out more than every other day, but my body cannot take it. Hence, this is why I do more cardio. I am starting also the Tae-bo stuff, so maybe that will help.

 

In terms of heredity, both my mother had a model like figure when she was my age. My father was thinner than I am too, but also was always a large (but not heavy). My two brothers and sisters are all pretty thin. I was always the heavy kid. Not really heavy as in overweight, just large frame. In high school and college football it was not hard to pack on the pounds and gain weight to be competitive in sports. At my height, I was was able to lift near 400LBS, squat 600LBS, curl 250LBS.

 

Probably the biggest issue that I have against me is my slow tract digestive system. Due to this, I had to modify my food intake in order to digest food. Bulking up on fiber is not the most pleasing thing to eat. I actually do not like to eat yogurt or oatmeal, but really have no choice on that front. I tried plain oatmeal and it is like eating cardboard.

 

Not sure if you’re responding to me, but what I was suggesting will INCREASE your fiber intake. Your taste buds are obviously still used to highly sweetened food. FWIW, it took me years to adapt to the foods I eat now, because I was so used to the way most food is so highly sweetened nowadays.

 

The problem with protein is that (like fat or carbohydrate) if your muscles don’t use it all the rest will be stored as fat. You can overdo protein. That could be contributing to the remaining belly fat.

 

Try introducing the new foods a bit at a time and removing the others a bit at a time. Otherwise accept that by not changing your eating habits anymore you likely won’t be able to remove any more belly fat without extreme amounts of exercise (that are likely unsustainable over the long term).

[ruggy]

Very true. For the whey protein and creatine I just use have the scoop instead of two scoops. The canned food is only 19g of sugars for a 15 ounce can. I drain the light syrup before consuming. What other high fiber foods am I leaving out? I have tried beens, never really cared for them.